AIRPORT UPDATES

PAID PARKING AND ADJACENT STREET PARKING CHANGES

In January 2007 Ballina Council introduced paid parking for the entire airport precinct. The public road leading towards the airport has become timed or no parking zone, so visitors to the airport cannot simply drive a short distance and leave vehicles there overnight without a ticket.

There is a new Rental Car Car Park adjacent to the airport runway where you will collect and return your car. The old car park is now exclusively for the use of the public, who will have to get a ticket and pay for the time their cars are parked there. The Rental Car Car Park is now well-lit for night time flights and 24 hour security cameras have been installed to improve customer security. An all weather footpath has been built to give easy access to rental car customers bringing luggage to and from the terminal. The entire airport precinct is subject to regular patrols which reduces the risk of parking and security concerns in the area.

Impact for our customers?

Most of our customers fly in and fly out. They only drive our cars while in the area. As long as our customers return their rental car s to the same place they collected them from (our designated Ballina Byron area in the 3rd row of the new car park) there will be no impact at all, except that they will get a bit more exercise walking to and from the new car park. The new signs will make it almost impossible to miss. And each and every Ballina Byron space is clearly marked.

Some locals rent our cars for longer trips and used to leave their own 'local use' cars in the car park. As locals only get an exemption for 2 hours parking, this now cost s them. To avoid this , locals should consider getting a lift from a friend, or a shuttle bus or taxi into the airport and back home again.

Exemptions?

Exemptions apply for local Ballina Shire residents for up to 2 hours free parking. But local residents still have to obtain a free parking ticket and display it. Parking inspectors issue infringements for parking without a valid ticket displayed.

Rental cars are not exempt. We pay for cars left in our area in the new car park, but if rental cars are parked in the public car park without a valid ticket they are still fined, just like any other car. If our customers are fined for parking in the wrong parking area we process them, like other fines we get. This will cost $20 on top of the fine issued.

How Much?

$2 for up to 2 hours, $4 for day parking and $8 for overnight (up to 24 hours).We hate the idea of our customers and friends getting fines. Please obey the signs.

How to Use?

There are lots of ticket vending machines around the car park. They take cash and credit cards. A change machine has been placed in the terminal. The ticket vending machines are very easy to use and they incorporate the latest touch screen technology.

Alternatives

The obvious alternatives for locals is to get a lift in to the airport or to take public transport. You may also wish to consider if you want secure undercover parking. It is more expensive, but you won't get hail damage, and this is a consideration violent storms.

You can email Will at Ballina Car Storage at ballinacarstorage@bigpond.com. They are in the airport complex and can detail your car as well.

BALLINA BYRON INTERNET ACCESS

Ballina Byron Rental Cars is a proud user of Ballina Byron's new wireless hotspot internet service, available from anywhere in Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. If you are using a wireless capable computer at the airport, you will be able to sign up and get immediate access to the net, from the moment you arrive in our beautiful town. We are told that many visitors have already done so. The service is from local ISP business the World Without Wires at www.wwwires.com. We are very happy to acknowledge the professional, speedy and very friendly service by Drew, Dainen and Damian. This service also gives us an online capability straight from our desk in the arrivals terminal, which has helped speed up admin, bookings and our response to customer enquiries. If you are travelling to Ballina Byron airport, or working in the area why not give them a call or visit their web site? They provide coverage as far away as the Gold Coast, Casino and Brunswick Heads and have wireless hot spots in the airport, and parts of Lennox Head and Byron Bay. You can even get cheap national phone calls using VOIP technology - and that's without needing a fixed line.

We will be keeping you informed of changes as they occur.

For any information please feel free to contact us.

Go back to the info page.